Welcome to the original Koh Samui info and weather blog with lots of information on things to do and see around tropical island destination Koh Samui in Thailand including weekly weather updates, brought to you by long term resident Camille Lemmens since February 2007.

Tour bookings on Koh Samui with Camille

Monday, 29 February 2016

Goodbye to February 2016

Late February is a good moment in time to say 'Goodbye to February 2016'.

This month didn't see the usual nice February weather, there was a lot more hard wind and a lot more rain than usual during an average February and as a consequence the East coast beaches were many times not that great for swimming. Big waves and the yearly rip curls and undertows were prominently in attendance.

We also had sunny days, but there were too many days with strong wind and rain to make it a memorable month for the weather.

There are a few clouds around over Koh Samui this morning but it's not grey anymore and there is also a bit of blue out there, that may become more prevalent once the sun heats up a bit more. Current temp at 7am is a nice and cool 25C

Som tam being made at the Plai Laem night market, which is held three times a week.

Yesterday saw a cloudy and grey day all day long with an occasional drizzle. Max temp reached 28C

The forecast is predicting fairly sunny skies with possibly some rain come next weekend.

It's grey and cloudy this morning over Koh Samui and although it's dry at the moment, it feels like rain is in the air. It may clear up later during the day but I'm not too sure since the prediction is not really holding up at the moment. Current temp at 7am is 27C

A monkey watching the coconuts in a pick up truck, whilst his boss is carrying coconuts out to the car at the Scent hotel in Bang Rak. Reverse work load

Yesterday saw some hard rain during the morning again and it cleared ip a little bit during the afternoon. Max temp reached only 28C

The forecast is looking fairly good for the next ten days, but the forecast is also a bit shaky at the moment, it seems. Some rain may be expected Tuesday and Wednesday, providing we have any dry days at all before we get there. It's supposed to clear up after Wednesday and be sunny, we'll have to wait and see.

Saturday, 27 February 2016

A much more blue sky is shaping up over Koh Samui this morning but there are some heavy cummulus clouds around and there still may be some rain during the morning. During the afternoon, the sun should definitely make a re-appearance. Current temp at 7am is 27C

Yesterday saw a few sunny morning moments but soon enough the clouds moved in and before noon we had a couple of showers. The afternoon saw things clear up again and now we could enjoy some more sunshine, although there were still clouds around. Max temp reached 30C

The forecast is shows that the wind has disappeared and is predicting a nice ten days ahead of us with mostly blue-ish skies, laced with a few clouds . Get that sun tan out and enjoy the sun!

Friday, 26 February 2016

It's cloudy and very windy over Koh Samui this morning. The wind is at it strongest right now but should last all day long and there's a good chance of some rain. Current temp at 7am is 28C

Small bridge in Lipa Noi on a short cut between the beach road and the ring road

Yesterday saw a cloudy day with a short shower shortly after 9am, the rain stayed on and we had an increasing strong rain coming down until around noon when it dried up again. It remained cloudy for the rest of the day with a max temp of 30C

The forecast predicts the wind to have gone by tomorrow. For the next ten days it should remain fairly cloudy to cloudy but there should also be plenty of sunny moments. A rare shower is also possible.

Thursday, 25 February 2016

Jok Bangkok restaurant in Nathon

The Jok Bangkok restaurant in Nathon is a breakfast restaurant, open between 6am and noon-ish. It's open since about five years and the last two to three years the 'Dim Sum'option has been added and it proofed to be very popular.

Jok Bangkok restaurant in Nathon; the front view

It's located in Nathon's main one way street, just a hundred meters short of the T-junction where you can take a right to the beach boulevard and it's an original old Chinese style house, or to be even more precise, Hainan style (check the link to see a picture of the same building back in 2008).

Jok Bangkok restaurant in Nathon; A variety of dim sum

Visitors are mostly Thais but you're more than welcome if you'e a Westerner and the menu is very simple and easy and straightforward. The dim sum, as shown above in the picture, you only have to go and point at the small plates you want and a staff member will have them steamed for you and brought over to your table once they're done.

Jok Bangkok restaurant in Nathon; Dim sum steaming away

The dim sum is fairly healthy and also has plenty of vegetarian options, besides fish and meat options. The plates are really small but also cheap.

We had a total of eight to nine dim sums, 2 jok dishes and two times eggs sunny side up and a few things as carry out and it totaled around 400.-THB.

Jok Bangkok restaurant in Nathon; the jok corner

A very popular Thai breakfast dish 'jok' which is rice porridge, but you can have plenty of different ingredients added to it, so it never becomes a boring dish. especially here at Jok Bangkok restaurant in Nathon, there are plenty of different options available, ranging from just your regular minced meat to the pink or '100 year old' fermented eggs, just to name a few.

Jok Bangkok restaurant in Nathon; the kitchen

If you find yourself in Nathon before noon, have a look if you can find Jok Bangkok, it's not hard to find and well worth a visit. It's a very local experience and don't worry, the food is not spicy!

According to my wife there are a few similar restaurants around the island, one supposedly in Bophud, so more research needs to be done here!

Wednesday, 24 February 2016

A nice blue sky is shaping up over Koh Samui this morning although it's still quite hazy this early on. It should be a nice and sunny day today with the wind picking up during the afternoon. Current temp at 7am is 27C

Decisive dress code for temples, this sign can be found all around the island and I took the picture at Big Buddha

Yesterday saw a warm and sunny day around the Koh Samui with a max temp of 31C

The forecast remains stable, with mostly sunny skies but apparently also a possible shower until Sunday. The wind is about to pick up and should be strong on Thursday and Friday and after the weekend we should be back to sunny skies.

Tuesday, 23 February 2016

Wien Tien at Wat Plai Laem

Yesterday as part of Makha Bucha day, there was the Wien Tien at Wat Plai Laem, when locals and visitors alike walk around the temple (wien) with a candle (tien) in their hands.

Wien Tien at Wat Plai Laem; it was so busy that people had to sit outside the Bot

It's always held at the third lunar month of the year, under a full moon and it was beautiful weather yesterday which attracted many people to the temples around the island, including Wat Plai Laem, our 'home' temple.

Wien Tien at Wat Plai Laem; The early birds or the lucky ones, who still found paces inside the Bot

We arrived around 7.30pm and there was me thinking that we were a bit late. There already plenty of people waiting in front of the Bot, and the Bot itself was maxed out, so many people had to sit behind the Bot and listen to the chanting by the Monks from an excellent PA system.

Wien Tien at Wat Plai Laem; The chanting Monks

When we arrived, the ceremony was already in full swing. Monks were chanting and this lasted for over an hour and a bit more.

Wien Tien at Wat Plai Laem; part of the crowd during the actual 'Wien Tien'

More and more people kept showing up though and people started to take positions and sit down all along the walls around the Bot.

Wien Tien at Wat Plai Laem; Blessing by a monk after the chanting and during the actual 'Wien Tien'

An interesting and surprising fact to me was the amount of Westerners visiting this event. Plenty of Westerners with their Thai wives or girlfriends but also Western families seemingly without any Thai connections.

The last time I participated in this event, a few years back, I was pretty much the only Westerner about.

Wien Tien at Wat Plai Laem; More of the crowd

It was a very interesting event, one of my favorite events at the temple, because of it's peacefulness and the opportunity to put flowers and incense at the beloved ones remains at the temple site, around the Bot during a religious holiday.

Wien Tien at Wat Plai Laem; The full moon watching over the Bot

Hope you had an opportunity to visit as well at one of Thailand's many temples and enjoy this important Buddhist holiday or festival.I was glad I could join this year and enjoy the event!

A nice blue sky is shaping up over Koh Samui this morning and it should be a nice, sunny and warm day today. Current temp at 7am is a nice and cool 25C

Fresh seafood, straight off the boat, for sale in Nathon, at the ocean boulevard

Yesterday saw a nice and warm day around the island, with occasionally some cloud formations drifting in and out. Max temp reached 31C

The weather forecast for the next ten days changed lightly, tomorrow the wind is supposed to pick up, culmination in thunder like storm conditions Thursday to Friday night and between Wednesday and Saturday we may have some rain. After that it looks like smooth sailing again with plenty of sunshine.

Monday, 22 February 2016

Makha Bucha Day

Today is Makha Bucha Day again, and on this day, the full moon of the third lunar month (called Tabodwe); seven months after Buddha began his teachings, 1,250 monks gathered to hear Buddha preach.

Buddha ordained these monks and spread the principles of Buddhism. This marked a key event in the development of the religion.

45 years later, on the same full moon in the third lunar month, Buddha again delivered his teachings shortly before his death.

This third lunar month on which both events occurred is known in Buddhist Pali language as 'Makha'. 'Bucha', means to honour.

Despite the great age of these events, (Buddha was teaching over 2,500 years ago) Makha Bucha only became a holiday in 1957. Prior to 1957, the third lunar month was celebrated as a Buddhist Holy Day.

In Thailand, the sale of alcohol is banned on religious holidays. This means bars and clubs are closed for the entire holiday and this is one of the bigger holidays, also banks, government offices and the like will be closed today.

ACTIVITIES TO BE OBSERVED ON MAKHA BUCHA DAY

'TUM BOON': Making merit by going to temples for special observances, making merit, listening to Dhamma preaching, giving some donations and join in the other Buddhist activities.I saw plenty of Thai people (mainly women) on their way to a local temple to do exactly this. Often gifts for the monks are carried along and handed over to the monks at the temples.

'RUB SIL': Keeping the Five Precepts, including abstinence from alcoholic drinks and all kinds of immoral acts.
This one is difficult to check but in theory everyone sticks to this.

'TUK BARD': Offering food to the monks and novices (in the alm bowl).
This is a daily occurrence but may be more widespread today.

Practice of renuciation: Observe the Eight Precepts, practice of meditation and mental discipline, stay in the temple, wearing white robes, for a number of days.
Saw a few females today wearing white robes.

'VIEN TIEN': Attending the Candle Light Procession around the Uposatha Hall, in the evening of the Vesak full moon day.
his will be held at various temples around the island, including Wat Plai Laem and we may be there tonight.

Saturday, 20 February 2016

A nice blue sky is shaping up over Koh Samui with a few occasional clouds in t. It's still a bit hazy this early in the morning but that should change soon once the sun heats up. Current temp at 7am is a nice and cool 25C

The entrance to Wat Boondarikaram in Chaweng or Wat Pangbua as the local Samui people know it. Pangbua means lotus plant and in the olden days, the entrance to the temple was lined with lotus plants

Yesterday saw a mice and warm day with plenty of sunshine around Koh Samui although there was some very early morning rain at some locations. Max temp reached 31C

The forecast is looking good, mostly sunny but with some strong wind tomorrow and towards next weekend and possibly some rain next weekend.

Friday, 19 February 2016

Back home again and we have a 'fai dab' or power cut early in the morning, It's fairly cloudy with a tiny bit of sunshine which gives a strange orange glow over our part of Koh Samui this morning. Current temp at 7am is 28C

Yesterday saw a sunny and warm day around Koh Samui but during the evening clouds moved in and all day long there was a stiff breeze. Max temp reached 31C

The forecast is a bit strange, although sunny skies are predicted, there are a lot more clouds around compared to what is predicted. After the weekend there should be two or three days with more cloud formations but towards the last weekend of the month it should be sunny again. Not much rain is expected although occasionally a shower can be expected, especially towards the last weekend of the month.

The forecast is changing ever so lightly but in general there should be not many clouds over the next ten days, but I'm not sure how accurate that is at the moment, since recent days have been fairly cloudy, Nonetheless, there should be plenty of sunshine over Koh Samui to enjoy a nice day on the beach or with a trip around the island or to enjoy other day time activities.

There may be some wind blowing in, which keeps it cool and towards next weekend there may be an isolated shower.

Wednesday, 17 February 2016

It's partially cloudy at some parts of the island, with some heavy clouds hanging over Koh Samui mixed with very sunny stretches of the sky. There may b a few rain drops today. Current temp at 8am is 28C

In Pattaya it's a bit hazy but it looks like a nice blue sky may shape up soon. Yesterday we had some very hard rain here during the afternoon despite of a very nice and sunny start of the day. Current temp at 8am is 25.5C

Monday, 15 February 2016

A nice blue sky is shaping up over Koh Samui this morning and you might as well get ready for a warm and sunny day. Current temp at 7am is 28C

Later this morning I will be off to Pattaya until Thursday to meet some old friends. It's been almost a year and a half since I was last there and I'm looking forward to see how busy it is there and of course to see my friends again! It's been longer since I saw them the last time.

On the way back from Donsak yesterday, life inside the Seatran ferry, full house

Yesterday saw a partially cloudy sky over Koh Samui with plenty of sunshine to be enjoyed. Max temp reached 31C

The forecast is looking outstanding, pretty much sunny skies galore for the next ten days, enjoy and get the sun lotion out!

Sunday, 14 February 2016

It's partially cloudy around Koh Samui but there is still enough sunshine to make it a nice day and it looks like it will stay like this today. Current temp at 10am is 30C

It's a later than usual update today, since we just got back to our hotel room from the Surat Thani marathon in which I participated. It's nice and sunny here and warming up! Current temp at 10am is 'only' 29C, it feels a lot warmer.

The marathon went ok, I finished 42.8km in 4 hours and 17 minutes, which is within the time range I trained for, although it's at the outer limits. I did manage to finish as tenth in my age category, which earned my a nice trophy! This was my 3rd marathon ever and I smashed my previous personal best with half an hour. It was tough though, especially the last five km's!

Saturday, 13 February 2016

There are plenty of blue spots this morning over Koh Samui but there are also plenty of cloudy parts in the sky, it's not as blue as yesterday but when the sun heats up, maybe we get more clue. Current temp at 8am is 28C

Later today we will go over to Surat Thani where I will run a full marathon tomorrow morning with a time of around 4 hours.

Friday, 12 February 2016

A nice blue sky is shaping up over Koh Samui this morning, there are a few isolated clouds but it looks like a very nice day is in the making. Current temp at 7am is 28C

A big empty land plot in Choengmon, where it was said that this would become a water park. Now it sits like this since well over a year, nothing has been anymore after the trees have been removed and some digging has been done.

Yesterday saw a nice and sunny day around Koh Samui, it has been a few days since the sun had been out like that! There were parts of the island where there were clouds, but our North Eastern part was sunny almost all day long, without getting too hot, which is the beauty of this time of the year. Max temp reached 31C, slowly the temperatures are climbing, a little bit per day.

The forecast looks good, sunny days are ahead of us and especially after the weekend it should be nice blue sky galore with hardly any rain at all except a storm like wind on Tuesday.

Wednesday, 10 February 2016

It's hazy this morning but it looks like the sun is going to break through over the sky of Koh Samui this morning and we have a couple of sunny hours ahead of us. Later today, more clouds may move in again. Current temp at 7am is 27C

Yesterdays the ferries to and from the mainland picked up their service again, after two days of not having run, this makes it three days before fresh produce can reach the supermarkets, which you could notice at some locations where various fresh products were lacking. Today stock should be replenished again.

Tuesday, 9 February 2016

It's still very cloudy and grey over Koh Samui this morning, just like previous days but the wind has reduced in strength and although you can feel the rain in the air, it should stay dry. Current temp at 7am is 26C

Samui Chinatown at Central shopping mall in Chaweng is for one week offering and showing Chinese New Year related events. This is a mini musical 'Mulan' by a dance troupe, the children loved it, our three year old watched the whole performance with a hand for her mouth, it must have been really exciting for her

Yesterday was grey and cloudy almost all day long, with a strong wind blowing over the island. The wind made it rather feel cold. The air felt wet and rain was in the air but it remained dry. Max temp reached 29C

The forecast predicts more cloudy skis until the weekend when it should clear up and the sun should come out again. Next week Wednesday may see a surge in the wind strength again.

Monday, 8 February 2016

It's grey and cloudy over Koh Samui this morning. It looks like i's going to remain cloudy but most likely dry and the current strong wind is likely to slow down during the day. Current temp at 7am is a cool 26C

Yesterday saw a very strong wind raging over Koh Samui all day long, which resulted in the ferries to the mainland being cancelled, due to high waves at the docking station in Nathon. It remained dry though and fairly cool. Max temp reached 28C

The forecast predicts the wind to have ceased by tomorrow and we should have nice and sunny days, especially come the weekend.

Sunday, 7 February 2016

It's cloudy this morning around Koh Samui and it probably will remain cloudy for the rest of the day with possibly a drizzle. This morning there's a very strong wind blowing. Current temp at 8am is a cool 27C

Welcome to the Chinese year of the Monkey

Yesterday saw a nice morning with some sunshine but the afternoon was cloudy with a max temp of 33C

The forecast predicts a strong wind today and slightly less for tomorrow. It's mostly cloudy until Thursday after which it's supposed to clear up and become sunny again.

Friday, 5 February 2016

This morning we have a partially cloudy sky over Koh Samui with blue spots peaking through the clouds. I expect it to remain fairly cloudy today. Current temp at 7am is 28C

Yesterday evening I had a Thai buffet dinner with my son, who won a dinner voucher at a lucky draw at the recent Care for Cancer run in Nathon, at the Koh Thai Bar and Restaurant at the Four Seasons Resort Samui. This is the deserts bar. The buffet was outstanding and can be highly recommended, but I was glad that we didn't have to pay, at 3,000.-THB per person

Yesterday saw a nice day with some sunshine until the late afternoon when dark clouds packed together and we had a short shower. Max temp reached 32C

The forecast predicts a very strong wind with storm like conditions come Sunday morning, by Tuesday morning the wind should have petered out. From Wednesday onward we may expect the sun back again.

Thursday, 4 February 2016

A blue-ish sky is shaping up this morning over Koh Samui, it was a bit hazy during the early morning and there are a few clouds right now but it looks good for the rest of the day during which I expect the sun to battle it out with some cloud formations. Current temp at 7am is 27C

The desert table, including a chocolate fountain, at Coast at Centara Grand Beach in Chaweng during yesterday evenings monthly Skal meeting/dinner. The dinner buffet was outstanding and I can highly recommend Coast for a visit and specifically it's Sunday brunch special

Yesterday saw a partially cloudy sky with plenty of sunshine peeking through the clouds and in some parts of the island there may have been some light rain. Max temp reached 33C

The forecast is looking fair. Hardly any rain is predicted for the next ten days, but plenty of cloudy skies. Over the weekend we may have a storm like wind passing over Koh Samui, culminating on Sunday morning and waning out over Monday. Tuesday, Wednesday and the second weekend of February may see some sunny skies.

The forecast for the next ten days shows a mix between cloudy and sunny skies with hardly any rain predicted at all. However, this coming weekend a storm is predicted with strong wind on Saturday and Sunday morning, lasting until Monday.

Tuesday, 2 February 2016

After the to fatal box jelly fish incidents on Koh Phangan and on Koh Samui last year, there were a lot of activities going on behind the scene and this resulted also in recent Box jelly fish awareness presentations for Koh Samui hotel staff January 2016 at Rocky's Boutique Resort near Lamai.

The group of participants at Rocky's Boutique Resort

Dr Lakkana, on eof the Thai box jelly fish experts, was invited by the THA (Thai Hotel Association), Samui chapter to talk in front of the local Koh Samui hotel managers and to conduct presentations for hotel staff on subsequent days. Unfortunately a day before her arrival, Dr Lakkana's mother had an accident and required surgery and she was at the intensive care unit in Chiang Mai.

Dr Lakkana had to cancel her trip down here to Koh Samui and the presentation for the THA members, Samui chapter, has currently been postponed to March.

The presentations for hotel staff went ahead however and Dr Nisa of the Government hospital in Nathon and Khun Jim, owner of the Lamai Wanta hotel in Lamai, took over Box jelly fish awareness presentations for Koh Samui hotel staff January 2016.

Khun Jim of Lamai Wanta resort during a presentation

The turn out was amazing, 39 hotels with 65 staff attended (including staff from the Anantara Rasanda on Kph Phangan), which made for a very busy conference room at Rocky's Boutique Resort during the Box jelly fish awareness presentations for Koh Samui hotel staff January 2016.

An officer from the Koh Samui police force during a presentation

Besides Dr Nisa and Khun Jim, local police members, rescue team members and hospital staff were also invited and attended the Box jelly fish awareness presentations for Koh Samui hotel staff January 2016.

CPR training

The presentation went over very well and there was some good feedback from the attending hotel staff. The Box jelly fish awareness presentations for Koh Samui hotel staff January 2016 ended with all attendees practicing CPR, one of the main tasks that may be required when dealing with a box jelly fish injury.

More CPR action pictures

The Box jelly fish awareness presentations for Koh Samui hotel staff January 2016 show that people on Koh Samui do care about box jellyfish awareness and keep working to move things ahead and raise awareness and prevention around Koh Samui.

Check also these pages out by DAN (Divers Alert Network) with updated statistics.

There is more to follow, through the THA chapter Samui, and by myself. I have a presentation scheduled for hotel staff on Koh Matsum.

We will keep working to keep raising awareness and prevention. Please help us and join whenever feasible and spread the word! Thanks!